A picture's worth a thousand words

The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce is an interesting story told in an unusual way.  Julie is in sixth grade when two Mongolian boys in fur coats arrive in her classroom: Chingis is a bit mouthy to the teacher and demands that his silent younger brother Nergui stay with him to be protected from a demon.  Julie is fascinated by these boys who are so different, and when they decide that she is their Good Guide, she's thrilled and does her best to learn about their culture and help them adapt. Interspersed throughout the story are Polaroid pictures which Chingis uses to explain his homeland, but Julie eventually learns that the boys are illegal immigrants fearful of being deported, and the pictures aren't quite what they appear to be.  The book is both touching and humorous; it would be terrific for a book club or group discussion.

Adventure - and prejudice - on the high seas

For a fascinating look at life on a whaling boat and overcoming prejudice, I highly recommend Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus. This exciting adventure is based on the life of Manjiro Nakahama, the first Japanese person known to come to the U.S. In the mid-1800s, Manjiro was only 14 when he and four other fishermen were caught in a storm and stranded on a desert island. They were rescued, but much to their dismay, their saviors were Americans - well known to be "barbarians." While his countrymen keep their distance, Manjiro is curious about the whaling ship and its odd collection of people with so many different colors of skin, hair, and eyes. Although happy that the captain befriends him and eventually takes him to America, Manjiro still longs to be out on the water and back in Japan. Will he ever get there? Illustrated with actual drawings by the real Manjiro, this is a page-turner that also provides an interesting look at early racism between the U.S. and Japan.

I've heard of a bride-zilla...but a quince-zilla?

Nothing heavy here, but that doesn't mean Fifteen Candles by Veronica Chambers isn't a delight!  Alicia has got it made. Wealthy family, easy life, awesome house, lives in Miami.  She's volunteered to help her co-worker Sarita plan her quinceañera - the very special fifteenth birthday party of a young Latina woman.  Alicia enlists the help of her best friends Carmen, Jamie, and Gaz, and together they form Amigas Inc.  The planning starts off great, but as the big day approaches, there are problems right and left.  It's fairly predictable that all will end well, but the glimpse of what goes into a quinceañera was fun and fascinating.  If you like fashion and pop culture, you'll especially have fun with this book, and you might also enjoy the sequel: Lights, Camera, Quince!

Delightful spring reading

I didn't intentionally read this at the beginning of spring, when I was thinking about my garden, but the timing couldn't have been better. Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman is about the transformation of an ugly lot in inner-city Cleveland to a beautiful, productive vegetable garden. Each chapter is told in a different voice - young, old, Korean, Hispanic, upbeat, sad. As the garden prospers, the gardeners get to know and trust one another, and they are transformed as well. The imagery is incredible, and the length of the book (69 pages) makes it approachable to many. A great multi-cultural selection.